Young women and emerging leaders across Western Australia are refusing to step back from public life, maintaining their determination to enter politics despite a documented rise in online harassment, misogyny, and physical security threats directed at female politicians.
Public figures and studies highlight a growing hostile climate for women in Australian politics. A 2024 Australian National University study identified the fear of online harassment and misogyny as a major barrier stopping young women and gender-diverse individuals from pursuing political roles. Federal leaders, including Tanya Plibersek and former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, have recently warned that abuse against parliamentarians has reached industrial scales, pointing to an increase in public threats and unsafe conditions following recent high-profile security incidents.
Despite these rising risks, young WA political figures across different levels of government and political affiliations remain resolute. WA Youth Parliamentarian Charlotte Rawlinson noted that while intimidation is a frightening reality—particularly for young, queer, and disabled individuals—she refuses to grant hostile actors the satisfaction of driving her away. Similarly, 29-year-old Busselton Councillor Mikayla Love reported adopting new safety precautions, such as requesting escorts to her car after evening council meetings, noting a distinct escalation in toxicity compared to when she started five years ago.
Political representatives from across the spectrum, including WA Young Liberals Chair Hannah Hutton, have also reported facing heightened divisiveness, name-calling, and sexist assumptions. However, these emerging leaders emphasize that the solution lies in fostering more respectful dialogue and refusing to let intimidation silence the next generation of public servants.
